Underground Railroad Experience Trail

Underground Railroad Experience Trail is a 3.4 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Sandy Spring, MD that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as moderate. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. Dogs and horses are also able to use this trail.

3.4 miles285 feetLoop

dog friendly

kid friendly

birding

hiking

nature trips

trail running

walking

horseback riding

forest

views

wild flowers

Guided tour and easy walk in woods and fields
This is a pleasant out-and-back walk that demonstrates typical terrain faced by escaped slaves making their way to freedom on the underground railroad. Features of the trail are marked by the little white signs shown in the picture. These sign are the only markings on the trail and one must be careful not to wander off on one of the many unmarked side trails.
If you elect to walk up Meeting House Road, please observe silence near the Friends Meeting House if it's Sunday. The road is private property.
A map, directions, and background infomration are available at www.mc-mncppc.org/trails

I initially thought that this was a typical hike on a well-maintained trail, until I cleared the trees into a magnificent meadow. The views were very pretty and led to the Sandy Spring for which the town is named. Despite some unsightly vandalism, the spring was very impressive.

We also were unable to find marker 9. Sounds like we walked passed it instead of turning, because there wasn't any signage. We did a white and orange look in the opposite direction of marker 9 as well. The actual Underground Railroad trail is not a loop. Overall a nice trail with lots of history.

Great trail...first time hiking with kids. My 8 year old son walked and my 2 year old daughter rode in an umbrella stroller. The beginning and end are sunny the rest shady and I only had to pick her up a few times.

A pleasant walk. Finding the trailhead from the parking lot was a minor problem - just need to head south down the driveway past the old barn, then hang a left onto the grassy area between the horse fence and the wooded area. Previous reviews are correct in noting that signage between #8 and #9 is not so good. Just follow the gravel path and hang a right along the tree line.

The entrance to the trail was somewhat hard to find from the visitor parking. You'll need to go out the drive, past the old barn. You'll find a bulletin board with the maps for taking. The trails are mostly smooth and easy to navigate. The printed trail map was helpful, though we missed the last trail marker on the first pass. There were no clear trail markers from location #8-#9. When you leave point #8, the spring, you'll meet up with a gravel path, which leads out to a private road. Just before the road, turn right and follow the tree line along the field. You'll soon find the big tree, point #9. The history provided on the map added a nice touch to the hike.

Carolyn M.

hiking

3 years ago

My hubs and I enjoyed this hike very much. We were there today, Aug. 29, 2013. The summer woods were shady and beautiful on a warm summer morning. The trails are mostly smooth and there are footbridges crossing the spring. We didn't do a guided tour but saw one in progress. The printed trail map was helpful, though we were unable to locate the last trail marker, #9, a 300 year old white oak tree. There were no clear trail markers past marker #8, Sandy Spring. Still we would return to hike here again. This one is perfect for young families and those interested in the Underground Railroad history.

WoodlawnManorMuseum.com (Step Back In Time) expands on the Underground Railroad Trail Experience by offering Hands 0n History Field Trips back at the plantation during the week from Monday thru Friday at Woodlawn Manor and the Slave Log Cabin from 10 am to 12:30 pm by reservation only for large groups. Docents in period costume present living history that expands the trail experience with the local history of Woodlawn, the UGRR, and African Slave Life on the plantation...slave music, grind parched corn, churn butter, carry yoke and buckets. Excellent educational programs. Info and Reservations by calling 301 570-5722 or email thru the website at WoodlawnManorMuseum.com.